In his novel based on the extraordinary life of the gay brother of Vladimir Nabokov, Paul Russell re-creates the rich and changing world in which Sergey, his family, and friends lived; from wealth and position in prerevolutionary Russia, to the halls of Cambridge University, and the Parisian salon of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. But it is the honesty and vulnerability of Sergey, our young gay narrator, that hook the reader.

Your Likes make Audible better!

Publisher's Summary

In his novel based on the extraordinary life of the gay brother of Vladimir Nabokov, Paul Russell re-creates the rich and changing world in which Sergey, his family, and friends lived; from wealth and position in prerevolutionary Russia, to the halls of Cambridge University, and the Parisian salon of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. But it is the honesty and vulnerability of Sergey, our young gay narrator, that hook the reader: his stuttering childhood in the shadow of his brilliant brother, his opium-fueled evenings with his sometime-lover Cocteau, his troubled love life on the margins of the Ballets Russes and its legendary cast, and his isolation in war torn Berlin where he will ultimately be arrested, sent to a camp, and die in 1945.

A meticulously researched novel, in which you will meet an extraordinary cast of characters including Picasso, Diaghilev, Stravinsky, Magnus Hirschfield ("Tante Magnesia"), Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, Cocteau, and of course the master himself, Vladimir Nabokov, this is ultimately the story of a beautiful and vulnerable homosexual boy growing into an enlightened and courageous man.

I'm Audible's first Editor-at-Large, the host of In Bed with Susie Bright -- and a longtime author, editor, journo, and bookworm. I listen to audio when I'm cooking, playing cards, knitting, going to bed, waking up, driving, and putting other people's kids to bed! My favorite audiobooks, ever, are: "True Grit" and "The Dog of the South."

Vladimir Nabokov had a younger gay brother, of whom he and his family were deeply ashamed. Sergey was a talented artist, a passionate activist, and he died in a Nazi concentration camp.

This is his story, and Paul Russell deserves to win many, many awards for it.

A stuttering childhood in the shadow of his brilliant older brother, Sergey was a different kind of brilliant. He was devoted to classical dance, and many of his lovers were members the Russian Ballet corps. His life in Paris intermingled with the brightest stars of the Modernist Movement— as well as the habitueés of the opium den. To his ultimate end in Berlin, dying in 1945— Paul writes an extraordinary novel based on the life of an exceptional person.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Delightful novel that takes a look at the fictional gay brother of the famous Russian author Vladimir Nabokov. The novel jumps between two time periods, pre revolutionary Russia and the Second World War, eventually merging at the devastating climax in Berlin during the War. A rich tapestry of real historical characters is woven into the story line, namely Cocteau, Stravinsky, Diaghilev and Gertrude Stein etc. making for some amusing and intriguing scenes as Russell brings these characters to life. Russell's style is impressive and entertaining, however, at times it becomes almost too clever for its own good becoming a distraction to the momentum of the story. Overall an enjoyable read and listen on both Kindle and Audible respectively.

What other book might you compare The Unreal Life of Sergey Nabokov to, and why?

A Stranger's Child, by Allen Hollinghurst.

What three words best describe Ken Kliban’s performance?

Ernest sincere attempt.

Could you see The Unreal Life of Sergey Nabokov being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

The Woody Allen movie, Midnight in Paris, makes use of famous historical literary characters in an amusing and entertaining way, so there is good reason to assumes that Russell's book could be made into an absorbing movie. It has a good combination of humour and tragedy for an entertaining movie.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Your report has been received. It will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Can't wait to hear more from this listener?

You can now follow your favorite reviewers on Audible.

When you follow another listener, we'll highlight the books they review, and even email* you a copy of any new reviews they write. You can un-follow a listener at any time to stop receiving their updates.

* If you already opted out of emails from Audible you will still get review emails by the listeners you follow.